"Between Heartbeats"

Petty Officer 2nd Class Wryn, Engineer
Lt. Cmdr. Raikon Achaea, Chief Engineer

Stardate: 58807.14, 10h30
Location: Various

***

Stardate: 58807.10, 11h30
From: Lt. Cmdr. Jalen Vos, Starfleet Corps of Engineers
To: Starfleet Personnel Command, Enlisted Assignments
Subject: Recommendation for Reassignment: PO2 Wryn

During a scheduled systems audit aboard the USS Kallistra, I observed Petty Officer 2nd Class Wryn performing maintenance on the ship's waste reclamation manifold. The issue in question was a micro-vibrational fault that had eluded both automated diagnostics and routine inspection. PO2 Wryn identified the anomaly by auditory assessment alone, isolating the fault within minutes and correcting it with minimal disruption to ship operations.

This is not the first time I have encountered technicians with strong environmental systems intuition, but PO2 Wryn's capability is exceptional. Her ability to detect system irregularities through non-instrumental means is a rare skill, particularly valuable aboard small-crew vessels where environmental stability is critical to mission readiness.

The Nova-class USS Vanguard is scheduled soon for deployment. Based on my assessment, PO2 Wryn's skill set aligns directly with the vessel's operational needs. Her presence would significantly enhance the ship's environmental stability. Her experience in damage control is an added benefit.

I formally recommend PO2 Wryn for reassignment to the USS Vanguard as Sanitation and Waste Management Specialist and Damage Control Technician. She is, in my professional judgment, uniquely suited to the demands of the posting.

Respectfully submitted,
Lt. Cmdr. Jalen Vos
Starfleet Corps of Engineers
Field Systems Audit Division

***

Main Engineering, USS Kallistra

***

Stardate: 58807.12, 15h00

"Wryn, can I see you for a moment?" Thavren asked. Wryn slipped the strap of her maintenance kit from her shoulder and returned it to the locker before acknowledging Thavren with a nod and a curious "Sir?"

They stepped into an alcove, offering the illusion of privacy while still surrounded by the chirps and purrs of the engine room. Thavren handed Wryn the transfer orders. He always suspected that she would be reassigned one day, heading off somewhere where her skills would matter more. But, still, he hated handing the orders over.

Wryn looked at the PADD. "You're getting rid of me?" she asked with surprise. "It wasn't my idea," Thavren protested. "You managed to get yourself noticed by one of those Corps guys. I looked it up… The Vanguard is newly refitted and is relaunching soon. You'll do good work there. You know how to listen to ships. But if they decide they don't want you after a month, you're welcome to come back here."

"I appreciate that, sir." Wryn answered. Though she couldn't actually absorb the information at the moment. This was not how she had planned her day and she was truly in shock.

She stared at the transfer orders for a moment longer, the words refusing to settle into meaning. "I wasn't expecting this," she admitted. "No one ever does," Thavren said gently. "But you're ready." His voice hitched slightly. He hoped Wryn didn't hear it, but she did. Of course she did, he scolded himself.

She took in a deep breath, willing her voice to stay steady. That wasn't going to happen though, and she took a step closer to Thavren. One arm hooked around his shoulder, half of a hug. "I'll make sure the reclamation manifold is stable before I go," she said. Thavren's stoic Bajoran countenance melted as he wrapped both arms around her small frame. "I know you will."

Thavren released her, and Wryn straightened, the PADD feeling like a live wire in her hand. She didn't trust herself to speak again. Instead, she nodded once — the same nod she gave when a repair was done right — and turned toward the corridor, feeling the Kallistra's heartbeat through the deck plating as she walked away. Or was that hers? For the first time in months, she wasn't sure.

***

Stardate: 58807.14, 05h00
Location: USS Kallistra, Orbiting Alpha Centauri

Captain's Log, Stardate 58807.14. We are currently in orbit of Alpha Centauri after completing our mission to transfer medical supplies from Benecia to Deneva. The crew will be granted a short rest period for shore leave while we restock the Kallistra for her next assignment. Sadly, we are also completing several crew transfers. Some departures are expected; others are less welcome. Even so, Starfleet's needs come first, and we will carry out the orders as directed. Engineering, in particular, will feel one of these losses.

***

Stardate: 58807.14, 06h00
Location: USS Vanguard, Transporter Room 2

The hum of the transporters activating sounded before the visual coalescence began. One moment, PO2 Wryn stood on the familiar deck plates of the Kallistra; the next, she was on the Vanguard. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath of the ship's air. It was different here — newer air filters, smaller crew.

She opened her eyes, stepped down from the transporter deck, and offered a smile to the transporter operator. "PO2 Wryn," she introduced herself. "Where do I put my bags?"

***

Stardate: 58807.14, 10h30
Location: Deck 7 — Main Engineering, USS Vanguard

Raikon stood in front of the doors of main engineering reading from a small PADD, flicking through the new crew member's service record and the attached recommendation letter while he waited for her to arrive. "Waste reclamation... really?" he mumbled to himself. Not the most glamorous side of engineering, and often passed over by many an engineer, but equally as important nonetheless. He had implemented a rotation schedule within the engineering team so everyone had a chance to work in the various positions within engineering — including waste reclamation.

After arrival processing, stowing her gear, and a brief walk through the Vanguard's maintenance corridors, Wryn's PADD chimed with her first assignment aboard the ship: Report to Main Engineering at 1030 hours for departmental introductions. She followed the directions through the narrow corridors, listening to the ship's hum, how it shifted the closer she was to Engineering. It would take time to learn the nuances of this particular ship, but she was a good student. Descending to Deck 7, the sound was louder and more alive, yet warm and welcoming.

She paused outside the doors to Main Engineering, smoothing the strap of her maintenance kit over her shoulder. The doors parted and she stepped inside. An El-Aurian lieutenant commander stood waiting, a PADD in his hand. Wryn had never worked under an El-Aurian before. Listeners, people called them. She wasn't sure whether that made her more nervous or more curious. He looked up as she entered.

Raikon lowered the PADD and shifted it to his left, extending his right hand toward her. "I'm Lieutenant Commander Raikon Achaea, Chief Engineer here aboard the USS Vanguard. Welcome aboard." He offered a solid handshake — firm, but not overdone — and gave her a small but warm smile. "You can call me Chief or Chief Achaea, whatever suits you. I hope you've settled in all right?"

"PO2 Wryn, sir," she said, stepping forward to accept the handshake. He was a full head taller than her, and she wondered momentarily how uncomfortable he must be during crawls through the Jefferies Tubes. "I'm settled in. I took a walk through the maintenance corridors earlier — starting to acclimate to the ship." She could tell it had just been through a refit; the hum she'd heard then had been the steady pre-departure resonance, not the same as when a ship was on the move. Now, at warp, she was still processing new layers in its voice. "It feels like a good ship. I'm prepared to get to work whenever. Just say the word."

Raikon smiled. "That's good to hear." He stepped aside to give her a full view of Main Engineering, the warp core humming as the ship traveled at Warp 7. "As you found your way down here, you already know this is Main Engineering. I'll have to check the roster to see where you're currently assigned, but I rotate everyone through the various engineering stations — two weeks at each posting before moving on. I believe it helps keep people sharp and gives them a broader skill set. Any questions so far? We'll continue the tour and have a look at the rest of the ship."

"A rotation through the ship's systems would help me get oriented, Chief," she said. "But my certification track is waste management, environmental systems, and damage control. I'm not rated for warp operations or anything beyond standard diagnostics. Will the rotation stay within the systems I'm rated for, or should I expect cross-training outside my specialty?"

"For the first two weeks, you'll rotate every day to a new station, where you'll shadow one of our engineers," Raikon replied, giving her a warm smile. "It'll give you some insight into all the various stations on the ship, as well as a chance to meet the team. After that, you'll rotate between the stations you're certified for. And if you're really interested, you can always expand your skill set. I'm always open to people broadening their skills and taking on new challenges."

"Shadowing makes sense, Chief. I'm comfortable learning how the stations fit together, even if I'm not rated to run them myself." She glanced toward the warp core, watching the way the energy lit the room. "How long have you been aboard the Vanguard?"

Raikon followed her gaze and frowned slightly as he tried to remember — it had been a hectic time. "Six, seven months? I was here at the start of the refit. A few of the team were as well. The rest are quite new." He studied her face. "You've only been part of Starfleet for a short time. How are you finding it?"

"It's been a change," she answered, then clarified, "but a good one. Ardana has made a lot of advancements on environmental systems over the last century. Starfleet works on a scale I haven't seen back home." She paused, reflecting only for a moment. "I know how important it is to keep those systems running smoothly. When filtration or atmospheric balance slips, people feel it. They think less clearly. They regress. I've seen what happens when the environment turns against you, even a little. So I take the work seriously." Her gaze returned to him. "So far, Starfleet has been a good fit."

Raikon nodded. "I'm glad to hear you are fitting in. As for the other — I've heard about the Troglyte struggles and hardship. I'm sure your people would be proud to see where you are now." He gestured toward the doors out of engineering. "Would you like to continue the tour?" "Of course, Chief. Lead the way."